OPPOSITION MP Mosese Bulitavu suggested to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee that they should consider what precedent they would be setting when dealing with the alleged assault by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama of Opposition MP Pio Tikoduadua and should consider a sentence that would act as a deterrent to prevent an assault happening in the future.
He highlighted these issues while the committee was deliberating on recommendations on a matter of privilege against Mr Bainimarama and Mr Tikoduadua.
“The other thing is when we are going to set a precedent,” Mr Bulitavu said.
“The precedent here that the honourable Prime Minister had pulled someone’s collar, so in future, another member of Parliament comes and does that to anyone of us, we say ‘oh, precedent is there, we will just have to go and apologise’.”
“And if you do not, you will get a suspension sentence.
“So we have to think in this case and also a deterrent, a message to fellow MPs that this should not happen also in the future.
“Sentencing comes with putting a deterrent.”
In response, Defence Minister and committee member Inia Seruiratu said the issue of deterrent would be highlighted according to the nature of the offence.
